Charlotte Brontë Described Heathcliff as a ‘Man’s Shape Animated by a Demon Life – a Ghoul’. to What Extent Do You Think This Is an Accurate Assessment of the Ways in Which Heathcliff Is Presented in the Novel?

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Charlotte Brontë described Heathcliff as a ‘man’s shape animated by a demon life – a ghoul’. To what extent do you think this is an accurate assessment of the ways in which Heathcliff is presented in the novel? This description of Heathcliff by Charlotte Brontë is accurate to an extent. It can be argued that Heathcliff is indeed presented as a ‘man’s shape animated by a demon life’ as Charlotte Brontë states due to several ghastly acts shown throughout the novel which are similar to those typically shown by a gothic villain, such as acts of violence and having a strong passion and drive. However it can also be argued that this is not an accurate assessment of the ways in which Heathcliff is presented in the novel due to several actions that counteract this statement. Several critics, such as, Sarah Magin agree with this description of Heathcliff by Charlotte by stating ‘the character of Heathcliff in Emily Brontë’s Wuthering Heights is cruel, malicious and detestable’. On the other hand, various other critics including Nancy Armstrong, view Heathcliff, like the novel, as a character that cannot be prescribed a definite label, as he avoids definition which makes his character so compelling, by stating ‘the “enigmatic” figure of Heathcliff is the result of his crossing between literary genres.’ This description can be seen as an accurate assessment of the ways in which Heathcliff is presented in the novel due to several reasons. Firstly, Heathcliff’s selfishness can be seen when he marries Isabella for the sole purpose and intention of revenge, money and class so that he can control the Heights as well as the Grange when Edgar dies. Isabella is in love with Heathcliff as she pictures him as a ‘hero of romance’, yet that feeling of love is not mutual within the relationship, which is shown through Heathcliff’s poor treatment of Isabella later in the novel. Isabella

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